Means for covering and fastening milk cases and the like



F. A. FUCIQ ET AL, MEANS FOR covsnma on FASTENING MILK CASES AND THE LIKE Fi led Sept 20, 1921 Win/55s Im/entors Patented Feb. 2'9,

FRANK A. AND ,VTILLIAM ZEUNGES, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

MEANS FOR COVERING Al l'D FASTENING MILK CASES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed September 20, 19:21 Serial no. 501,962.

To all whom it'mag concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK A. F U01 and WILLIAM ZnUNens, citizens of the United States, andresiding in "the city 01"- Pittsbur h, in the county of Allegheny and State of 1 ennsylvania', have invented or discovered new, useful, and Improved Means for Covering and Fastening Milk Cases and the like, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention consists of new and improved closure means for containers, such as milk bottle cases and the like, and also for locking a plurality of such cases in stacked relation so that they may be portable as a unit. I

More particularly speaking, said means consists of a lid which, in the case of a single case, is placed on the case, and a chain which is stretched across said lid to hold it in position, one end of said chain being connected to a hook member which engages the bottom edge of the case or the hand slot at one end, while the other end of said chain .is connected to one end of a stretching bar which is pivotally mounted on a second hook member engaging the other end of the case, said stretching bar being then reversed to tighten the chain and being locked in positionl Vhere a plurality of cases are to be locked together in stacked relation, said cases are first stacked, with the usual corner posts of the cases extending up into the corners of the case next above to hold the cases in alinement. The lid is then placed on the top case and the chain stretched across the same, the hook members to which the ends of the chain are attached engaging the bottom edges or hand slots of the bottom case.

In the accompanying drawings, l ig. 1 is. a perspective view showing our invention applied to a stack of tworcases; Fig. 2 is a cross section of a single case showing our invention applied; Fig. is an inverted plan view of the form of lid which we prefer to use; Fig/ l is an enlarged perspective showing the hook member which is provided with chain tightening and locking. means; Fig. 5 is a side view otfthe same on smaller scale, the end of the chain being shown engaged, tightened and locked, the chain being shown untightened and unlocked in Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a rear eleva tion oi the other hook member.

The following is a detailed description of the drawings.

"A represents a milk bottle case, two being shown stacked together'in Fig. 1, while a single case is shown in Fig. 2. Said cases are usually provided with open work b0ttoms, such as the wires or bars 1 spaced somewhat above the bottom edge of the case, while the interior of said case is divided into nests or sockets for the bottles, as by" means of thehorizontalcrossed wires or bars 2 and The upper corners of said cases are usually provided with upwardly extending posts 1 which fit into the bottom corners of the second case superimposed on the bottom case, thus'facilitating stacking by maintaining the cases in alinement.

We provide a lid B which, in the case of a single case, is placed on top of the same, as shown in Fig. 2, while in the case of a stack of cases, as in Fig. 1, is placed on top ot' the top case. Said lid ispreferably made of a metal plate and has its corners cut away, as at 5, to-provide clearance for the upward protrusion of the posts 4, The lateral edges of the lid B are bent downwardly to form the flanges 6 which fit down over the top sides of the case, and the ends of said lid are provided withthe pairs of hori zontally projecting ears 7 which are spaced apart to form the guide slots 8 for the chain C. We provide a pair of hook members, preferably made of bent metal, for the ends of the chain. Thus I) is a hook member to whose shank 9 one end of the chain is permanently secured, the hook end 10 of said member engaging the bottom edge of the case A at one end of the latter. The end of said member is preferably slotted or bifurcated, as at 11, so that it mayextend upwardly through the open work bottom oil the case. The other hook member E is of somewhat similar construction and which engages the opposite bottom edge of the case. The member E is not however di-. rectly connected to-the chain, but toits outer trace is aiitach ed a bracket 12 having outwardly extending and'spaced apart flanges 13 for the support oifthe pivot pin 14: whose ends extend through alined holes in said flanges and may be riveted to hold the pin in place. i i

1* is a bar pivotally mounted intermediate 1 of its ends on the pin '14, washers 15 being. mounted on said pin, on either side of the bar to hold the latter in proper position. One end, marked 16, of said bar F is hooked to engage a link in the chain C while the other, and preferably the longer end is provided with a hole 17 for the hasp of a padlock G. WVhen not in use the bar F is positioned with its hooked end upwardly.

8 and inserted down between the flanges 13 in the rear" of the pin 14:- and its adjacent link engaged by the hooked end of the bar F. The bar F is then reversed from its position shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 5, its hooked end being thus depressed, thereby tightening the chain across the lid. The hasp oithe padlock G is then inserted through the hole 17 in the barl and through the adjacent link of the chain C, and the padlock snapped closed. I

WVhere a stack of cases, as in Fig. 1, is to be closed and locked, the lid B is placed on the top case, the hook member D is engaged with the bottom edge of the bottom case, or, as is preferable, in the hand slot 18 in the end of the bottom case. The chain is then led up the stack and across the lid and down the other end, and the chain is engaged by the hooked end oi the bar F of the hook member E which is engaged with the hand hole in the end of the bottom case. The bar F is then reversed and looked, as already described.

If desired, the chain C may be of suflicient length, as shown in Fig. 1, to be padlocked to a post or other permanent structure, to prevent the case or stack of cases being removed by unauthorized persons.

Vi e preferto provide the under face of the lid B with a spring clip 19 under which a bill or other note or communication may be slipped. I

It is evident that our invention provides a safe and convenient method of covering and locking either individual cases or a stack of the same, so that they may be conveniently loaded and unloaded from a vehicle and generally handled without danger of breakage, and so that stealing of the bottles or cases, after delivery is prevented.

What we desire to claim is 1, Means for closing and looking a case of the character do crib-ed which consists in the combination of a lid adapted to fit on top or the case and held against lateral displacement, a hook member engaging one end of said case, a second hook member en gagingthe other end cit said case, a bar pii 'otally mounted intermediate of its ends on said second hook member and provided with a hooked end, a chain having one end attached to said first named hook member and. led across said lid and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut across said lid, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position.

2. Means for closing and locking a case of the character described which consists in the combination of a lid adapted to fit on top of the case and provided at its ends with chain notches, a hook member engaging one end of said case, a second hook member engaging the other end of said case, a bar pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on. said second hook member and provided with a hooked end, a chain having one end attached to said first hook member and led across said lid, seating in said notches, and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut across said lid, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position.

3. lrleans for closing and looking a case of the character described which consists in the combination of a lid adapted to lit on top or" the case and held against lateral displacement and provided at its ends with chain notches, a hook member engaging one end 01''? said case, a second hook member engaging-the other end o1 said case, a bar pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said second hook member and provided with a hooked end, a chain having one end attached to said first hook member and led across said lid, seating in said notches, and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut across said lid, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position.

a. Means for closing and looking a case of the character described which'consists in the combination of a lid adapted to fit on top of the case and held against lateral displacement, a hook member engaging one end of said case, a second hook member engaging the other end of said case, a bar pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said second hook member and provided with a hooked end, a chain having one end attached to said first named hook member and led across said lid and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said var, whereby by reversing said bar said chain stretched taut across said. lid, and means -for lockii said bar in its reversed position. one end or said chain be ing prolonged for locking to a fixed object to prevent unauthorized removal of the case,

5. Means for closing and locking together stack of superimposed. one on the other, which consists in the combination of a lid fitting on top of the top case, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case, a second hook member engaging the other end of the bottom case, a bar pivotally mounted intermediate of i s ends on said second hook member and having a hooked end, a chain hari one end attached to said first named hook member and led across said lid and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said bar, whereby by re versing said bar said chain is stretched taut, clamping said cases together in stack formation and clamping said lid on said top case, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position.

6. Means for closing and locking together a stack of cases superimposed one on the other, which consists in the combination of a lid fitting on top of the top case, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case, a second hook member engaging the other end of the bottom case, a bar pivo-tally mounted intermediate of its ends on said second hook member and having a hooked end, a chain having one end attached to said first named hook member and led across said lid and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut, clamping said cases together in stack formation and clamping said lid on said'top case, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position, one end of said chain being prolonged for locking to a fixed object to prevent the unauthorized removal of said cases.

7. Means for closing and locking together a stack of cases superimposed. one on the other, which consists in the combination of a lid fitting on top of the top case and held against lateral displacement, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case, a second hook member engaging the other end of the bottom case, a bar pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said second hook member and having a hooked end, a chain having one end attached to said first hook member and led across said lid and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of sald bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut and said cases are clamped together in stack formation and said lid is clamped on said top case, and means for locking said bar in its re- -versed position.

8. Means for closing and locking together a stack of cases superimposed'one on the other, which consists in the combination of a lid fitting on top of the top case and held a; nst lateral displacement, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case, a second hook member engaging the other end oi the bottom case, a bar pivotally mounted intermediate of ends on said second hook member and having aho-oked end, a chain having one end attached to'said first hook member and ledacross said lid and'having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut and said cases are clamped together in stack formation and said lid is clamped on said top case, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position, one end of said chain being prolongedfor locking to a'fixed object to prevent unauthorized removal of said cases.

9. Means for closing and locking together stack of cases superimposed one on the other which consists in the combination of a lid fitting on the top case and held'against U lateral displacement, said lid beingprovided at its ends with chain notches, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case, a second hook member engaging the other end of the bottom case, a bar plvotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said second hook member, a chain having one end attached to said first hook member and led across said lid and having its other end portion engaged by the hooked end of said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut, clamping said cases together in stacked relation and clamping said lid on the top case, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position.

10. Means for closing and looking to-.

gether a stack of casessuperimposed one on the other, which consists in the combination of a lid fitting on the top case and held against lateral displacement, said lid being provided at its ends with chain notches, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case, a second hook member engaging the other end of the bottom case, a bar piva fixed object to prevent unauthorized re-.

moval of the cases.

11. Means for-closing and locking a case otthe character described which consists in the combination of a lid adapted to fit on top of the case and held against lateral displacement, a hook member engaging one end of said case. a second book member (511- gaging the other end of said case, a bar pivctally attached to one of said hook members, a chain connected to the other hook member and led across said lid and having the bar engaging its other end portion whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut across said lid, and means for locking said bar in its reversed position.

12. Means for closing and looking together a stack of cases superimposed one on the other, Which consists in the Combination of a lid fitting on top off the top case and held against lateral displacement, a hook member engaging one end of the bottom case of the stack, a second hook member engaging the other end ofsaid bottom case, a bar pivotally attached to one of said hook memthe other hook member and led across said 15 lid and having its other end portion engaged by said bar, whereby by reversing said bar said chain is stretched taut, clamping said cases together in stack formation and clamping the lid on the top case of the stack, and means for looking said her in its reversed position.

Signed at Pittsburgh, Pa, this 16th day of Sept, 1921.

FRANK A. WILLIAM ZEUNGES. 

